Divorced, Desperate and Deceived by Christie Craig
Divorced, Desperate and Deceived by Christie Craig is the third and final book in the “Divorced, Desperate and . . .” romance trilogy series. Publisher: Dorchester, November 2009
Of the Divorced, Desperate and Delicious club, Kathy Callahan is the last surviving member. Oh, her two friends haven’t died or anything. They just gave up their vows of chastity. They went for hot sex with hot cops and happy second marriages—something Kathy can never consider, given her past. Yet there’s always her plumber, Stan Bradley. He seems honest, hardworking…and skilled with a tool.
PLUMB CRAZY
Kathy’s best-laid plans are about to hit a clog. The guy snaking her drain isn’t what he seems. He’s handier with a pistol than a pipe wrench, and she’s about to see more action than Jason Statham. The next forty-eight hours promise hot pursuit, hotter passion and a super perky pug. And at the end of this wild escapade, Kathy and her own undercover lawman will be flush with happiness . . . assuming they both survive.
This was a fun and humorous finale to the trilogy. Every page I turned something funny was happening while Kathy and Luke tried to survive the men who was out to kill Luke. Little by little the truth of Kathy’s past came to light and they both realize what they have is theirs. What a fun ride that I didn’t want to get off. My rating: 4.5 stars
Other books in the trilogy:
Divorced, Desperate and Dating (Nov 2008)
Divorced, Desperate and Delicious (Dec 2007)
Scandal Sheet by Gemma Halliday
Scandal Sheet by Gemma Halliday is the first book in the new “Hollywood Headlines” mystery romance series. Publisher: Dorchester Publishing, October 2009
Tina Bender—the L.A. Informer’s gossip columnist extraordinaire—knows everything about everyone who’s anyone. And she’s not afraid to print it. Until someone threatens to kill her.
Calvin Dean’s got a charming smile and an alpha-dog attitude. But that doesn’t mean Tina’s happy editor Felix Dunn has saddled her with the built bodyguard. How’s she supposed to get the scoop on Hollywood A-listers with him hulking nearby?
When the threats escalate to actual violence—and murder!—she and Dean are thrust together in a way that brings a whole new meaning to working undercover. Suddenly it’s not just the imminent danger making Tina’s pulse jump. With the help of a bubbly blonde, an alcoholic obituary writer, and a pair of overzealous octogenarians, they’ll have to sort through the scandals to find which juicy piece of gossip is worth killing over…or risk becoming tomorrow’s headline.
Tina writes a gossip column and someone doesn’t like what she is writing. Enters Cal as her bodyguard and soon it’s more than her body he’s guarding while trying to keep her alive. This was an entertaining, funny and romantic mystery story and a perfect book to read on a cold’s winter night. My rating: 3.5 stars
Mischief in Mudbug by Jana DeLeon
Mischief in Mudbug by Jana DeLeon is the second book in the “Ghost-In-Law” mystery romance series. Publisher: Love Spell, October 2009
Everyone in Mudbug, Louisiana, knows that when Helena Henry shows up, no good will come of it. Especially now that Helena is dead. And more meddlesome than ever.
Sabine LaVeche needs to locate a blood relative fast – her life depends on it. Her only ally is the smart-mouthed ghost of Helena Henry. Until Beau Villeneuve agrees to take the case. The super-sexy PI is a master at finding missing persons – and all the spots that make Sabine weak in the knees. But as they start to uncover the truth about the past, it becomes clear that someone out there wants to bury Sabine along with all her parent’s secrets. And she realizes what they say is true: family really can be the death of you.
The gang is all here. Sabine, Maryse, Mildred and Helena. Sabine was given the worst news of her life and is now more than determined to find her family. While her future life seems bleak, Sabine hires sexy PI Beau who both feel the pull of an attraction that neither can deny but Sabine puts on hold, to find her family. With Sabine seeing and hearing the ghostly Helena, seeking clues to her family and Helena’s death, Sabine’s life is now in jeopardy and Beau and her friends will try to keep her safe. This was a great read with humor, romance and a mystery that kept the pages turning to get to the end. I look forward to reading the next book in this great series. My rating: 4 stars
6 Killer Bodies by Stephanie Bond
6 Killer Bodies by Stephanie Bond is the sixth book in the “Body Movers” sexy mystery series. Publisher: June 2009
Carlotta Wren’s world is crumbling beneath her well-shod feet. One of her closest friends has been arrested as the Charmed Killer, but Carlotta refuses to believe it. And to prove her friend’s innocence, Carlotta goes against her boyfriend Peter’s wishes and resumes her after-hours body-moving duties.
And then…
- Peter pressures her for an answer to his proposal…
- Her troubled brother Wesley goes missing…
And the madman stalking the city strikes again, this time a little too close to home.
But when Carlotta finds herself in the clutches of the Charmed Killer, is she destined for her own body bag?
This was a fun and easy read that I read in one day. I really hope this is not the end of the series since there are still more loose ends left to tie up, mainly who does Carlotta choose as her man. I know who I want her to choose. My rating: 4 stars
Love Mercy by Earlene Fowler
Love Mercy by Earlene Fowler is the first book in a sweet new series about “Love Mercy Johnson” set on California’s central coast in the town of Morro Bay. Publisher: Berkley, March 2009
Love Mercy Johnson has seen her fair share of heartbreak. A year after her husband’s death, she still finds herself listening for his comforting laugh. But her life is satisfying in Morro Bay, California, where she takes photographs for a regional magazine and helps her in-laws work the Johnson family’s cattle ranch. With the help of her good friends, Love is trying to move on.
Long estranged from her grandchildren, Love has given up hope of ever seeing them again. Then her dreams of reconciliation come true when her eighteen-year-old granddaughter, Loretta Lynn “Rett” Johnson, unexpectedly shows up. Suddenly, Love’s predicable life is completely disrupted.
Fresh from an embarrassing romantic entanglement, Rett, an aspiring songwriter, has hitchhiked across the country, lugging a prickly attitude, a broken heart and a stolen banjo. Now grandmother and granddaughter must struggle to coexist while each confronts old resentments and hurts. When a family crisis forges an unexpected connection between the two grieving women, they must discover whether they can change not only their own lives but the lives of their loved ones for the better.
Very enjoyable and I loved how the human spirit shined through. My rating: 4 stars
5 Bodies To Die For by Stephanie Bond
5 Bodies To Die For by Stephanie Bond is the 5th book in the “Body Movers” mystery series. Publisher: Mira (Harlequin), May 2009
And the body count keeps rising…
The Charmed Killer is on the loose in Atlanta and Carlotta Wren is caught up in the terror-especially when her body-moving side business brings her dangerously close to the action.And then…
She’s force to take refuge in her former fiance’s house—much to the chagrin of other interested parties…
Her brother Wesley begins to behave as if he has his own death wish…
And someone close to her is implicated in the mass murders.
Meanwhile, Carlotta can’t shake the feeling that danger is dogging her seemingly cursed family-and that the serial killer’s exploits are starting to get personal.
This was a great one-day read. Looking forward to book #6. My rating: 4 stars
4 Bodies and A Funeral by Stephanie Bond
4 Bodies and A Funeral by Stephanie Bond is the 4th book in the “Body Movers” mystery series. Publisher: Mira (Harlequin), April 2009
One cadaver, two cadaver, three cadaver, four…
Ever had one of those days? A surprise visit from her father-who’s on the rn from the law-has given Carlotta Wren a lot to think about. Should she join her former fiance, Peter, in proving her father’s innocent? If she does, are her body-moving days over?
And then…
A close friend’s behavior begins to spin out of control…
The cops turns up the heat on her father’s case…
Carlotta discovers that her brother Wesley’s gambling debts are child’s play compared to his new vice…
And the Charmed Killer, a serial murderer, unleashes his wrath on Atlanta.
Now the bodies are piling up-and Carlotta’s father is the number one suspect!
This was very enjoyable and I like how it is playing. Looking forward to reading the next book in the fantastic series. My rating: 4 stars
Trouble in Mudbug by Jana DeLeon
Trouble in Mudbug by Jana DeLeon is the first book in the new “Ghost-In-Law” mystery romance series. Publisher: Love Spell, January 2009
Family can be the death of you.
Maryse Robicheaux can’t help heaving a sigh of relief at the news that her not-so-beloved mother-in-law has kicked the bucket. The woman was rude, manipulative and loved lording over everyone as the richest citizen of Mudbug, Louisiana. Unfortunately, death doesn’t slow Helena Henry down one bit.
Being haunted – or more like harried – by Helena’s ghost isn’t even the worst of Maryse’s problems. Close to making a huge medical breakthrough, she’s suddenly been given an officemate, and the only thing bigger than Luc LeJeune’s ego is his sex appeal. Maryse would bet her life the hot half-Creole is hiding something. Especially because it seems someone’s out to kill her. But getting Luc to spill his secrets while avoiding Helena’s histrionics and staying alive herself will be the ultimate bayou balancing act.
Maryse Robicheaux is attending her mother-in-law’s funeral when she Helena Henry rises out of her coffin. Besides trying to find her no-good of a husband to serve divorce papers on him, now Maryse has to deal with being haunted by the woman who made her life hectic. Helena’s ghostly spirit tells her that she has unfinished business to attend to before she could go towards the light and Maryse holds the key. After inheriting Helena’s land, attempts have been made on Maryse’s life. With the help of ghostly Helena, Luc LeJeune who she is attracted to, Mildred who is her surrogate mother and Sabine, her best friend, they will work to solve the mystery of why someone wants Maryse dead. I really enjoyed this story and was glad to learn there will be more in this series. My rating: 4 stars
Living the Vida Lola by Misa Ramirez
Living the Vida Lola by Misa Ramirez is the first book in the new Lola Cruz mystery series. Publisher: Minotaur Books, January 2009
Meet Lola Cruz. After paying her dues as an intern, she’s now a full-fledged detective at Camacho and Associates. Her boss is Manny Camacho, a muy caliente former cop with a mysterious ex-wife, a Lara Croft look-alike girlfriend, and a sudden personal interest in Lola. Her first big case? A missing mother who may not want to be found. And to make her already busy life even more complicated, Lola’s helping her cousin plan her quinceañera, and battling her family and their old-fashioned views on women and careers. She’s also reunited with the gorgeous Jack Callaghan, her high school crush whom she shamelessly tailed years ago and photographed doing the horizontal salsa with some other lucky girl.
Lola takes it all in stride, but when the subject of her search ends up dead, she realizes she has a lot more to worry about. Soon she finds herself wrapped up in the possibly shady practices of a tattoo parlor, local politics, and someone with serious—maybe deadly—road rage. To top it all off, her treasured postcoital pictures of Jack are missing! Still, Lola is well-equipped to handle these challenges. She’s a black-belt in kung fu, and her body isn’t her only weapon. She’s got smarts, sass, and more tenacity than her Mexican mafioso-wannabe grandfather. A few of her famous margaritas don’t hurt, either.
Meet Dolores “Lola” Cruz, private investigator who got her calling when she was 14 years old spying on her first crush, Jack Callaghan. Years later, the crush (lust) is still strong and she runs into him while on a case. Emily Diggs’ son died of a heart infection and she blames the tattoo shop and has gone missing. Later her body is found submerged in water, and Lola has the job of solving the murder. Her investigation soon leads to threats and harm against her but nothing stops Lola from finding the clues that will lead to the murderer. While all this is going on, Lola is helping her cousin with her quinceanera, setting her friend up with her brother and lusting after Jack. I love the characters in this book from Lola, Jack, Antonio, Reilly and her relatives and how they interact with Lola’s occupation. This was a fun and sexy read and I can’t wait for the next book in this series. [4 stars – really liked it]
*new-to-me author
Mayhem in High Heels by Gemma Halliday
Mayhem in High Heels by Gemma Halliday is the fifth and final book in the High Heels mysteries series. Publisher: Dorchester Publishing, January 2009
Maddie’s planning a wedding, but with a killer on the loose, “’til death do you part” might come a lot sooner than she thinks!
Shoe designer Madison Louise Springer finally has her man, Jack Ramirez, homicide detective and will be walking down the aisle even if it kills her. All the favorites are here, best friend Dana, Marco, her mother, Mrs. Rosenblatt, her father Larry and Felix Dunn, reporter for LA Informer who will be featured in the next mystery series by Ms. Halliday. Someone killed Maddie’s wedding planner, a week before her wedding and Maddie and friends will seek out the clues to solve this murder so that Jack gives his 100% to their wedding. This was an enjoyable madcap adventure was a glorious end to the series. [4 stars – really liked it]
